Commandments We Gave You 1 Thessalonians 4:2

As Paul the apostle continued to encourage and exhort the church members in Thessalonica, he reminded them of how he and his traveling companions shared with them how they “ought to walk and to please God, so” they“would abound more and more”. In chapter four and verse two of his letter, Paul continued his exhortation by reminding them of “commandments” they gave the Thessalonians where we read:

For you know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

The verse begins, “For you know what commandments we gave you...” Paul began with the word, “For” which means “because, as, even, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and yet” “you know” which refers to “the Thessalonians' perception, noticing, discerning and discovering” “what commandments” or “which charges, proclamations and messages” “we gave you” or “granted, supplied, furnished, extended and presented to the church members”. Paul knew the Thessalonians would remember the messages he and his companions gave them while they were with them.

The verse goes on to say, “...by the Lord Jesus.” Paul continued, “by the Lord” which means “through the means of he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master” “Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate”. Paul and his companions relayed the messages and commands which the “Lord Jesus” gave and was the source.

When we think through this verse, we are immediately challenged to remember the commandments of the “Lord Jesus”. What did He say, and to whom did he say these things? Have we taken time to be reminded of them, and if so, what have we done with the commands of which we are reminded? Perhaps we should ponder the words of Jesus such as “love”, “forgive”, “let your light so shine before men” and others which come to our minds, and then, let us act upon what we recollect. Our prayer should be, “Lord Jesus, remind us of your commands once again, in your name we pray, amen”.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians about “sanctification” and abstaining from “fornication”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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